The 2022 World Poker Tour (WPT) first half schedule is out, and it includes some familiar venues.
Season XIX wrapped up in December with the conclusion of the prestigious Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio in Las Vegas. Taylor Black won the 716-entrant tournament for just over $1.2 million.
Jake Ferro, who cashed in three events but didn't win a title, earned Season XIX Player of the Year honors.
Short Schedule.... For Now
WPT Main Tour Season XX kicks off January 26 with the $3,500 buy-in Lucky Hearts Poker Open at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, one of the top WPT destinations. The tournament boasts a $2 million guaranteed prize pool.
Brian Altman, the Season 19 Player of the Year, is a two-time champion in this annual event. The second WPT event scheduled for the first half of the year will take place April 8 at the same casino. The $3,500 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, similar to the Lucky Hearts, will likely attract a crowd that surpasses 1,000 entrants.
Up next for the WPT is a trip to Durant, Oklahoma. More specifically, Choctaw Casino Resort on May 13 for a $3,800 tournament. As of now, those are the only three Main Tour events scheduled in 2022, but likely won't be the only stops.
Matt Savage, the WPT's Executive Tour Director, told PokerNews that additional tournaments between now and Choctaw could be added.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, as Savage acknowledged, locking up deals with venues for major poker events isn't as easy of a task as it was pre-pandemic. But he said he's thrilled to extend partnership deals with two venues that have become popular stops among the WPT customer base.
“We could not be happier to be launching our historic 20th anniversary with an amazing partner in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood,” said Adam Pliska, WPT CEO. “We have a number of special initiatives planned for the rest of the year to give the poker community amazing ways to celebrate with us.”
Following the start of the 2022 Main Tour season, the WPT also has three WPTDeepStacks tournaments planned, the first in Amersterdam March 29 to April 1. Sydney, Australia (April 1-7) and Sacramento, California (April 28 to May 1) are also stops on this year's WPTDeepStacks schedule.
